The Greater New Haven Community Chorus assembled an ambitious program celebrating America’s immigrant heritage at Battell Chapel. The concert felt like a spirited reply to the city’s recent treatment by the U.S. Department of Justice.

America’s Immigrant History

The chorus performed familiar and lesser-known works that chronicled the nation’s long, complicated history of newcomers seeking a place at the table. The most recognizable words belonged to Emma Lazarus, whose poem inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty was set to music by Irving Berlin, an immigrant himself.

The image of Lady Liberty, depicted in motion, one foot stepping forward, lingered as the concert unfolded. The chorus’s artistic director, Alysoun Kegel, pointed to this often-overlooked feature of the Statue of Liberty.

Puerto Rican Day Parade

The next day, West Haven’s terminal was awash in Puerto Rican flags as travelers boarded Metro-North trains bound for Manhattan and the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. The celebration has become one of the largest cultural events in the United States.

A family of four wearing New York Knicks jerseys caught the author’s attention, with children of Asian and European heritage confidently carrying themselves as young fans. This encounter, along with the concert and parade, offered a reminder that America remains a work in progress.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.